Eating Healthy When You Have Diarrhea

Infections, medicines and emotional stress can all cause diarrhea. It can make you weak and dehydrated.

Nutrition ideas that may help:

• Replace fluids lost to your body due to diarrhea. Drink a lot of liquids -- 8 or more glasses per day!
• Replace the potassium lost from your body in diarrhea. If you do not have enough potassium you can feel very weak. Try these high potassium foods: bananas, potatoes, fish and meat.
• Some food can actually help stop the diarrhea. Try plain white rice, cream of wheat or farina cereal, toasted white bread, plain macaroni or noodles, boiled eggs, oatmeal, ice cream, jello, applesauce, bananas, canned fruit, mashed potatoes, yogurt, and plain crackers.
• Don't skip meals , even though you don't feel like eating. Eat small amounts of food every couple of hours.
• Try eating foods at room temperature rather than very hot or cold.
• Stay away from fatty, greasy and fried foods. Do not eat donuts, chips, fried potatoes or french fries, bacon, sausages, gravy, bologna, hot dogs, fried chicken, fried fish, or other fried meats. Use only small amounts of margarine, butter, cream or oil in your food.
• Stay away from spicy foods. Do not eat chili, pizza, hot sauce or tacos.
• Avoid foods with a lot of crunchy fiber which can irritate your intestines. Do not eat raw fruits or raw vegetables or the skins or seeds of any fruit or vegetable. Do not eat corn.,whole wheat breads or nuts.
• If you have cramps, stay away from foods that can cause gas. Do not eat dried beans, canned beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, or drink carbonated drinks, or beer. Chewing gum should also be avoided.